There is plenty to be said about rushing success in the NFL beginning up front, but you still need to have a capable and diverse stable of running backs for an efficient running game. The loss of Eric Steinbach and injuries to Levi Jones, Willie Anderson, and others left the Bengals with a patchwork offensive line last season. Still, there is plenty of concern at the running back position.

The glimmer of hope could be former first round pick Chris Perry, who is finally at 100% following an ankle injury suffered late in the 2006 season.

Head coach Marvin Lewis said last week that Perry will be on the field the team opens mini-camp on Tuesday.

Perry has had a tough time staying on the field in his brief career due to a variety of injuries, but is only 26 years old and has far less mileage than current starter Rudi Johnson.  Ever since he dropped 20 pounds Johnson has not been the same back and may never be again.

The team surprised many when they failed to use one of their 10 draft picks on a running back. There was talk that they may had hometown favorite Shaun Alexander and the former NFL MVP was cut by the Seahawks. However, a deal with Alexander is unlikely from the Bengals according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

If Perry can prove healthy he can contribute to the offense in many ways and could even become the feature back. Expect Kenny Watson (793 RuYd in '07) and DeDe Dorsey to also have roles within the offense.

Despite the fact Thomas Jones was out of the way last season, Cedric Benson struggled with both injuries and the ability to find holes in a dismal season for the Bears. He finished with 674 yards rushing on 3.4 yards per carry and found the end zone just four times in 11 games. The team has expressed their disinterest in Benson and took it a step further by drafting RB Matt Forte out of Tulane in Round 2 of last month's draft.

Benson was arrested early Sunday in Texas for boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest. He was released on $14,500 bail.

Local Chicago media is calling for his head, and they may be right.

"There's a big enough pile of evidence for the Bears to cut ties with Benson without another thought. Maybe that's the real positive of his water-logged weekend, Mike Mulligan wrote in the Sun-Times. Benson has one leg out the door and another on a banana peel anyway after the draft last weekend, when the Bears effectively replaced him by using a second-round pick on Matt Forte."

The organization would have to take a $6 million salary cap hit to cut the former No. 4 overall selection. However, the hit would be $2.5 million if they designate him a post-June 1 cut.

Chicago needs to extend the contracts of Tommie Harris, Robbie Gould, and Devin Hester's and will need that cap space to do so, that likely means that Benson is going nowhere. The worst part of it is that Benson isn't a viable reserve because he doesn't pass block, play special teams, or help on third downs. He could be low on the depth chart.

Shaun Alexander completed his visit to Cincinnati on Monday and now its up to the Bengals to decide if he can be a fit to their mix at running back. Just two years removed from being the NFL's MVP, Alexander was cut by Seattle on April 22.

The team is mum on their interest and offered no comment over the weekend regarding the veteran or his visit. The Enquirer is reporting that the "discussions are very preliminary, and no real direction has been set by either side." 

NFL.com's Adam Schefter reports that  Alexander is also scheduled to meet the Saints Wednesday.

Alexander played in 13 games with 11 starts last season, missing three games with a sprained left knee. He played through a left wrist fractured in Week 1. In 2006, he missed six games because of a severely bruised left foot that eventually resulted in a fracture. At 31, it remains to be seen how much gas he has left in the tank.

The Bengals are his hometown team and will likely get him at a discount should they decide to make a move.

The team did not draft a running back and currently has Rudi Johnson slated as the starter. Former first round pick Chris Perry is finally 100% after nearly two years of injuries and will be ready for mini-camp later this month. Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey both should enough last season to warrant roles. Last year's second-round pick Kenny Irons will not be ready for training camp as he is still dealing with his ACL injury suffered last preseason.  It is interesting that the Bengals are even talking to him.

Had we thought about this ahead of time, I think the writers for the site could have come up with a Bengals draft drinking game.  The events of the two day draft seem to repeat themselves year over year.  For instance here's a few that I've found so far this year.

• Draft player with a criminal record that was kicked off his college squad?  Check.
• Select multiple players that most other teams had serious concerns about?  Check.
• Player not named Chad Johnson asks for a trade out of town?  Check.

Any other events that I missed?

If you are still sitting on the couch watching the draft coverage at this point you have a real problem. For most of you that haven't been hypnotized by  Mel Kiper's hair, here are the things you need to know from Sunday.

BENGALS
The team used the extra picks to their advantaged and continued to fill holes:

Round 3 (77) - DT Pat Sims, Auburn - Only started last year after quitting team, but has great upside.

*Round 3 (97) - WR Andre Caldwell, Florida - Reche's brother posted good 40-time at combine, but hasn't shown it on field yet.

Round 4 (112) - T Anthony Collins, Kansas - Shows great versatility and could develop nicely; nice value for the spot.

Round 5 (145) - DT Jason Shirley, Frenso State - Has nice size, but lacks much consistentcy; many had him going undrafted

Round 6 (177) - S Corey Lynch, Appalachian State - Immediate special teams contributor; kick-blocking specialist

*Round 6 (207) - TE Matthew Sherry - Villanova - Athletic, pass-catching tight end. WOW! That's two on the team

*Round 7 (244) - OLB Angelo Craig - Cincinnati - Hometown favorite played DE in college, but he's better suited to be a LB

*Round 7 (246) - WR Mario Urrutia, Louisville - Junior is very raw, but has the frame and attibutes to develop

OTHER NEWS
Lions trade up to get running back
Detroit News - "The Detroit Lions turned aggressive on the second day of the NFL draft, using trades that netted three third-round picks to fill needs at running back and defensive line. Running back Kevin Smith of Central Florida, defensive tackle Andre Fluellen of Florida State and defensive end Cliff Avril of Purdue were drafted on the third round."

Giants gamble on Michigan's Mario
New York Daily News - "The Giants just made a very controversial selection by taking Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham. There's not a lot of doubt about the talent in that pick of the 5-11, 178-pounder. But there's a lot of baggage that comes along with him, too."

Draft sets new trade record
ESPN.com - "NFL decision-makers were a finicky lot at the NFL draft, making a record 33 trades on Saturday and Sunday, surpassing the previous record of 28 from the 2004 draft."

DRAFT TRACKER: ROUNDS | TEAMS | POSITIONS

I honestly don't know which is more agonizing, being a Bengals fan in the off-season or a Bengals fan during the regular season. For most teams, hope springs eternal in the off-season. The wait-til-next-year mentality usually spurs interest for the fan base. But here in Cincinnati, it's a never-ending case of disappointed drafts, head scratching free agent moves, lack of free agent moves, off-the-field troubles, and players shooting their mouths off about wanting out of town.  All of this is a mounting frustration for fans. It almost makes you yearn for the season to start, just so we can have the distraction of yet another disappointing season of missing the playoffs and to hear Marvin Lewis' lies and smugness. Instead we get to hear Marvin's cronies (revolving door of coaches and coordinators) try to convince us that they were right about Jerome Simpson and EVERYONE ELSE was wrong and that it wasn't a reach to take a 4th-round projected WR from a two-bit college so early. No, trust us, and drink this Kool-Aid, and while you're doing that, keep buying up the tickets for the season because this is the year.

No, the Bengals franchise is an absolute laughing stock. Abysmal ownership, poor coaching, poor drafting, poor personnel decisions, poor performance which leaves all of us fans angry and poor from paying for tickets and merchandise. And for what? 

The first day of the draft came and went rather quickly, at least once it got started. It was tough dealing with my anxiety for an extra few hours with it starting at 3:00 rather than noon. However, once things got rolling the 10 minutes between picks proved to be much faster than I would realize as I didn't have my normal in-between time to hit the fridge and the other duties that may call. Despite the rapid pace here my first impressions of the team's that helped themselves the most in the opening two rounds.

CAROLINA PANTHERS
They nabbed RB Jonathan Stewart at No. 13, then added a tackle with the 19th pick and good at that in Jeff Otah out of Pittsburgh. The team's offensive line has gotten younger, but has immense upside and Stewart replaces DeShaun Foster (cut in off-season) as DeAngelo Williams' stablemate in the Panthers' backfield.

BALTIMORE RAVENS
Ozzie Newsome had Baltimore on the move. They dropped all the way from 8th overall down to No. 26th while grabbing a boat load of picks in a deal with Jacksonville then traded back up eight spots as they struck a deal with Houston. When the dust settled the team ended up with their second rated quarterback in Joe Flacco out of nearby Delaware and then grabbed RB Ray Rice out of Rutgers with the 55th selection in late Round 2.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Chiefs resisted temptation to pass on DT Glenn Dorsey, who could prove to be a big time steal if he shakes durability concerns. The team then added the versatile offensive Branden Albert with the 15th pick following a trade with the Lions.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Rashard Mendenhall was not a player as a Bengals' fan that I want to have to face a couple times a year. He is coming off a breakout campaign at Illinois last year and has the size and ability to succeed on the next level. The team used its second round pick to get the receiver I was so hoping would end up in Cincinnati in Limas Sweed. This guy is a physical specimen and is going to be scary when coupled with Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes.

The first day of the draft for the Bengals was a disappointment. The day started with the team getting scooped by the Saints and Jaguars on getting their impact defensive player and ended with the team making their annual "what in the hell were you thinking pick" as they selected WR Jerome Simpson out of Costal Carolina. 

I was really hoping that the Bengals would land Sedrick Ellis and after Glenn Dorsey slid to the Chiefs at #5 and the Jets nabbed Vernon Gholston with the sixth pick overall. The Patriots have more pressing issues than DT and the Ravens didn't really need Ellis at eight either. Both teams would trade down as the Saints moved up from 10th overall to grab Ellis and Jacksonville went large and grabbed Derrick Harvey.

The Bengals did the right thing grabbing Rivers at No. 9, but the Saints only swapped third round picks and gave up a fifth to get Ellis, I would have liked to see Cincinnati come off some of their 10 draft picks in order to grab the defensive tackle they so desperately needed.

The bigger curve ball came with the Simpson pick. I wasn't surprised to see them go wide receiver, but they had Malcolm Kelly of Oklahoma,  Desean Jackson of California, Mario Manningham of Michigan and Limas Sweed of Texas (the guy I wanted who wound up on Pittsburgh) on the board, yet still opted to go with a player that many publications had going in the fourth or fifth round. They also once again opted to ignore defensive tackle as they could have nabbed the highly touted Trevor Laws (went on the following pick to the Eagles) in that spot.

Analysis from SportsIllustrated.com:

Keith Rivers
Rivers is a speedy defender with good upside potential as a weak side linebacker. He comes off a disappointing senior campaign, yet his size/speed numbers and production throughout his college career should keep him in the first half of round one.

Jerome Simpson
A graceful receiver who competes on the field, Simpson has the size and pass-catching skills to be a fourth wideout at the next level.

WHAT'S UP NEXT
After only having two picks on Saturday, the team gets to fill eight more spots on Sunday:

Round 3, Pick 14 (77)     
Round 3, Pick 34 (97) (Compensatory selection)     
Round 4, Pick 13 (112)     
Round 5, Pick 10 (145)     
Round 6, Pick 11 (177)     
Round 6, Pick 41 (207) (Compensatory selection)     
Round 7, Pick 37 (244) (Compensatory selection)     
Round 7, Pick 39 (246) (Compensatory selection)

Our list of the top draft busts will focus on top 10 picks since they are considered to be the “sure fire picks”. We could just take the Bengals first round picks of Mike Brown era prior to Marvin Lewis with the likes of David Klingler, Dan Wilkinson, Ki-Jana Carter, Akili Smith, Peter Warrick and James Francis. However there were a few good productive ones like Willie Anderson, Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons so we’ll let them off the hook. Quarterbacks and Running backs seem to dominate the draft bust list since they have cut and dry numbers to back it up but we will see a few offensive tackles and defensive players as well.

FIRST TEAM
1. Ryan Leaf, QB, Washington State, 1998, 2nd Pick, Chargers - No NFL bust list is complete without listing Ryan Leaf. Unlike some others it was not addiction, off field problems, steroids or career threatening injuries that held back Leaf. He was just plain bad. He was so bad that he was out of the league within four years. He played only 26 games completing 48.4% of his passes for 3666 yds, 14 TD and 36 Int. There was a time when it was a tough decision of who to take between Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. Leaf was considered to have the higher upside but was rawer and would need more time to develop. The Colts needed a starter right now and opted for Manning or Leaf would have been an even larger bust! Leaf was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in his junior year, was a first-team All-American and PAC-10 offensive player of the year. Adding insult to injury, Chargers GM Bobby Beathard gave up the No. 3 pick, a second-round selection, a first-round choice in 1999, and two players to Arizona to move up just one spot.

2. Art Schlichter, QB, Ohio State, 1982, 4th Pick, Colts - The only reason Schlichter was not placed above Leaf was that his career was destroyed largely by an addiction to gambling that led to various off field issues. He only played in 13 games, Completed 45.0% of his passes for 1006 yds, 3 TDs and 11 int’s. Schlichter was a standout player at Ohio State and almost lead the Buckeyes to the national title. In 1983, the league suspended him when it was discovered that he had $150,000 in gambling debt. The Colts released him in 1985. He played arena football for a few years in the 1990’s and has a long rap sheet that includes over 20 felonies such as fraud and forgery. He’s been in prison over 30 times. He is one of the saddest stories of wasted potential in sports history.

3. Tony Mandarich, OT, Michigan St, 1989, 2nd Pick, Packers - As stud offensive tackles often are, Mandarich was viewed by many to be the safest pick in the draft. Unfortunately, he never came close to living up to expectations, and after just three years, he was cut. Because of a drastic loss in weight upon entering the NFL, there was a lot of speculation that his success at the collegiate level was fueled by the use of steroids. He was drafted ahead of Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas and Deion Sanders which just make the pick that much more painful. A great senior year, where he was named a first-team All-American, Big Ten Lineman of the Year and Outland Award Finalist, he was touted as the best offensive line prospect ever. He played from 1996- 1998 for the Colts and was a bit better but not spectacular.

4. Penn State running backs - This is a scary trend of three sure fire picks falling flat on their face.

a. Curtis Enis, RB, Penn St, 1998, 5th pick, Bears- Games 34, RuYds 1497, Total TDs 6. He possessed the power of a big man and had the moves often attributed to smaller backs. Enis was considered to be like Randy Moss was that same year, a top prospect. To be fair, he did injure his ACL as a rookie, and pain in his knee forced him to hang it up by age 25, right after trying to resurrect his career with the Browns. What makes Enis even more frustrating is the other players available in the draft: RB’s Fred Taylor (Round 1) and Ahman Green (Round 3)

b. Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn St, 1995, 1st pick, Bengals- Games 57, RuYds 1127, Total TDs 21. The only things keeping him from being an overall top pick are his ACL tear on his first pro carry and the 21 touchdowns he did score (though many of them were vulture carries after Cory Dillon carried them down the field). At Penn State, the guy was amazing. He was built like a bulldog, but still had the explosion to act as a home run threat from anywhere on the field. Carter was a slam dunk for the No. 1 pick at the time. Unfortunately, the Ki-Jana Carter that played for the Bengals, Redskins, and Saints was never the same player after that preseason ACL tear. He was a standout player in college; in 1994 he had 27 carries for 227 yards and 5 touchdowns against Michigan State. That same year he played in the Rose Bowl, earning Co-MVP honors. In recent years, he has been an on-again, off-again backup player.

c. Blair Thomas, RB Penn St, 1990, 2nd pick, Jets - Games 64, RuYds 2236, Total TDs 9. He never showed the burst or creativity as a runner and the great package of skills needed in the NFL. A 40 time of 4.4 thrust Thomas to the forefront of the 1990 NFL Draft, far above a number of future NFL workhorses at his position. At only 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, Thomas never even developed into one of the top seven or eight most productive backs in his draft class, which is a monumental waste of the number two overall pick. In seven NFL seasons with the Jets, Cowboys, Patriots, and Panthers, Thomas rushed for only 2,236 yard and seven TDs. Of course later in this same draft, some guy by the name of Emmit Smith was drafted by the Cowboys.

5. Akili Smith, QB, Oregon, 1999, 3rd pick, Bengals- Games 21, Yds 2212, TDs 5, int's 13. The second bust QB taken by Mike Brown’s staff in the 90’s after David Klingler, Smith started just 17 games over four years with Cincinnati. He played only two games during the 2001 season and was cut in 2002. In 2003, he was again cut, this time by the Packers. And in 2005, he failed in a stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Like Leaf, Smith had nothing holding him back outside of the fact that he is just a bad NFL quarterback. Blessed with one of the strongest arms you’ll ever see, he was never able to find the other tools necessary to put it all together. Fortunately the Browns did not do much better taking Tim Couch with the first overall pick. Edgerrin James, Champ Bailey, Dante Culpepper and others were drafted later which and all would have been available if the Bengals had made a deal with the Saints that would have netted them the Saints entire draft including the 5th overall pick and some future picks.

SECOND TEAM
6. Lawrence Phillips, RB, Nebraska, 1996, 6th Pick, Rams - Games 35, RuYds 1453, Total TDs 15. Phillips appeared to have all the potential to be a future star in the NFL. In today’s NFL, he would have slid much further due to off field issues. In the pros, he proved to be a major distraction and an under-performer. He missed team meetings, was arrested for assault and domestic abuse and was often cut from teams due to his argumentative nature. In the NFL, he played too upright and couldn't make people miss. He was handed chance after chance to make it with the Rams, Dolphins, NFL Europe, 49ers, Arena League, and CFL. He was drafted ahead of Eddie George.

7. Heath Shuler, QB, Tennessee, 1994, 3rd Pick, Redskins - Games 29, Yds 3691, TDs 15, int’s 33. As with many of our draft busts he was a holdout, and not being in camp hurt him immediately. Then Gus Frerotte, another '94 draft pick, seized control of the team. Shuler never caught up. He also wasn't the pure passer he needed to be. Shuler quarterbacked the Vols of Tennessee where he set numerous passing records and came in second in Heisman voting in 1993. He was considered to be one of the SEC’s top QBs and his athleticism made him a real commodity. His potential never translated to NFL success.

8. Kelly Stouffer, QB, Colorado State, 1987, 6th Pick, Cardinals - Games 22, Yds 2333, TDs 7, int’s 19. Stouffer had a good college career putting up big numbers at Colorado State in the old pass-happy WAC. He would belong near the top of this list but most felt he wasn’t worth the 6th overall pick anyways. Stouffer played for Seattle from 1988- 1992. He performed well in a limited capacity and in 1992 and earned the starting job. He did not win one game and was injured and sidelined near the end of the season. In 1993 the Hawks picked Rick Mirer and Stouffer’s career was over.

9. Brian Bosworth, LB, Oklahoma 1987, supplemental, Seahawks - Winner of the first two Butkus Awards, Bosworth was kicked off the Oklahoma squad because of steroid use, which fueled his entry into the 1987 supplemental draft, where he was selected by the Seahawks in the first round. Bosworth was perhaps the most over-hyped player to exit the collegiate ranks, recording just four sacks through three seasons.

10. Bruce Pickens, CB, Nebraska, 1991, 3rd, Falcons - In his five seasons with the club, he recorded a very modest total of two interceptions.

THIRD TEAM
11. Andre Ware, QB, Houston, 1990, 7th, Lions - Games 14, Yds 1112, TDs 5 int’s 8. Ware spent four seasons with the Lions before heading to the Raiders, and then the CFL.

12. Tim Biakabutuka, RB, Michigan, 1996, 8th, Panthers - Games 49, RuYds 2530, Total TDs 17. He was drafted ahead of Eddie George as well.

13. Bo Matthews, RB, Colorado, 1974, 2nd, Chargers - In eight NFL seasons, he gained only 1,566 yards rushing, and caught 75 passes, before spending time with the USFL's Denver Gold.

14. Leroy Keyes, RB, 3rd, 1969, Eagles - Keyes played both ways from the get go, rushing for 361 yards as a rookie. After injuring his leg, Keyes focused primarily on defense, and would rush for only eight more yards. Keyes would go down in the record books as one of the least productive NFL running backs ever drafted in the top five finishing with 369 career rushing yards. His eight interceptions save him from being higher on this list.

15. Todd Blackledge, QB, 7th, 1983, Chiefs - Games 46, Yds 5286, TDs 29 int’s 38. The only reason Blackledge makes the list is because he was taken over Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason and Ken O'Brien

HONORABLE MENTIONS
16. Steve Emtman, DT, Washington (1st overall, Colts, 1992)
17. Tom Cousineau, MLB, Ohio State (1st overall, Bills, 1979)
18. David Klingler, QB, Houston (6th overall, Bengals, 1992)
19. Dan Wilkinson, DT, Ohio State (1st overall, Bengals, 1994)
20. Rick Mirer, QB, Notre Dame (2nd overall, Seahawks, 1993)

from the GetSportsInfo.com archives (by Dan Hoerst):

With the Miami Dolphins signing Michigan tackle Jake Long to a $57 million ($30 guaranteed), five-year deal on Tuesday, the St. Louis Rams are now on the clock. The team appears to be deciding between nabbing either DE Chris Long (Virginia) or DT Glenn Dorsey (LSU). They could also trade down as well.

They could of used the help on the offensive line and with the Dolphins nabbing the prized tackle right off the board, the Rams must now look to address a defense that ranked near the bottom last season in most major catagories.

What makes things real interesting is quarterback Matt Ryan. The Rams are not interested in him too much as Marc Bulger is already established as the franchise quarterback. However, the Ravens and Falcons both reportedly covet the former Boston College signal caller. Will either team trade up to get their man.

The Rams could slide down and if they miss on both Dorsey and C. Long, don't be surprised to see them turn to USC's DT Sedrick Ellis, a name that has been mostly linked to the Bengals in most mock drafts.

Things are going to get real interesting from now leading up to the start up the draft, but clearly what the Rams ultimately decide to do with the No. 2 pick is greatly going to determine how much of the first round will unfold.

The Bengals have turned down two potential first round picks from the Washington Redskins in exchange for disgruntled wide receiver Chad Johnson, according to ESPN.com.

Bengals' coach Marvin Lewis, who initially denied the team had received offers for Johnson during a Tuesday news conference, confirmed to ESPN that Cincinnati turned down Washington's offer of two picks.

"Once I actually read what was reported, I have to be truthful and say that the story is accurate," Lewis told ESPN. "Unfortunately, I didn't read it until after our press conference."

The Redskins offered its first-round pick, No. 21 overall, and a conditional third-rounder in 2009 that could escalate to a first rounder if Johnson and the Redskins hit certain performance levels, the sources said.

It is also believed that both the Cowboys and the Eagles also appear interested.

A trade of Johnson would force the Bengals to take an $8 million cap hit on their 2008 salary cap, but that could be split over two years if the team were deal him after June 1.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports what we've been hearing for weeks - the Cincinnati Bengals will not trade receiver Chad Johnson.

"No matter the offer," Schefter says.  "No matter the circumstances.  No deal."

It appears as if the Bengals are going to stand pat on this one, which means no draft day dealing for the Bengals, at least not any that involves them sending Chad Johnson elsewhere.

As an interesting side note to any of the reported teams that are in the market for Johnson, is that the Bengals are set to face each of them during the upcoming season.  It would be interesting to imagine Ocho Cinco returning to the Jungle as a member of the Redksins on December 14th.

With the draft just days away, let's take a look at some of the latest headlines surrounding this weekend:

All lined up: Long's contract nearly set
Palm Beach Post - "The Dolphins don't have to make the No. 1 pick until 10 minutes after the NFL Draft begins Saturday, but it appears that they won't have to wait that long to get the player they want - Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. Negotiations between the Dolphins and Long's agent, Tom Condon, have reached the point that a contract could be announced any day, an NFL source told The Palm Beach Post on Monday."

Allen departs, but for how long?
Minneapolis Star-Tribune - "Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen returned home to the West Coast on Sunday, but the Vikings remained cautiously optimistic he will be wearing purple before next weekend's NFL draft."

Jets in rush for Vernon Gholston
NY Daily News - "Vernon Gholston said the Jets "welcomed me with open arms" last week in his official visit to Hofstra, and he thinks he'd fit in nicely as a rush linebacker in their 3-4 scheme. There's a good chance he will be available for the Jets at No. 6 overall"

Running back McFadden rushing to atone for his sins
Philadelphia Daily News - "McFadden, the second-leading rusher in Southeastern Conference history, has been criss-crossing the country the last 3 weeks meeting with many of the teams in the top 10 of the draft, including the Rams (picking second), the Raiders, the New York Jets (sixth) and the New England Patriots (seventh). They've grilled him on everything - the bar fights, his mother, the Cadillac Escalade he purchased last year while still at Arkansas, the paternity suits, his brothers' gang affiliations, his friends, even his plans for his signing bonus."

With the NFL draft just five days away, the Cincinnati Bengals found out today that their star linebacker of three years ago has been reinstated. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced today that Odell Thurman has been reinstated and can return to active duty with the Bengals. After a two year suspension, Thurman will finally get the chance to step back on the field.

Goodell stated that he was pleased with Thurman's progress and that he had complied with the guidelines to be reinstated this time around. When asked about Thurman's reinstatement, coach Marvin Lewis said that, "It is now up to Odell to continue to meet all NFL guidelines, and to maintain a standard of personal responsibility that will allow him the chance to compete for a spot on our team."

With all of the angst surrounding this team including the release of Chris Henry and the headache that is Chad Johnson, this news is something that can finally bring a smile to the faces of Bengals' fans. If Thurman can get back into gameday shape quickly, assuming he's not there already, he should be able to step back into the starting MLB spot by the start of this season. In 2005, as a rookie, he led the Bengals in tackles with 148 and had one sack along with five interceptions and nine passes deflected and four forced fumbles. To say his rookie season was great would be an understatement.

Thurman had been in trouble with the law on a number of occasions, but back in 2006 he was suspended for four games for failing to show up for a drug screening. That suspension was later increased to the whole season when he was arrested for DUI charges on September 25, 2006. Up for reinstatement for the 2007 season, Thurman was denied but due to confidentiality guidelines, the league and team officials would not say why he was not reinstated back in July of last year.

The Bengals suffered without him in the middle, partly because of the amount of injuries to the linebacking position last season. Should Thurman get his starting job back, that could help set up the transition to the 3-4 defense the team has hinted at changing to recently. While it will ultimately be up to Marvin to decide if Thurman is ready to play or start again, it will be on Thurman to make sure he complies with everything the NFL is asking him to do, or more so not do. If he can keep his head up and square on his shoulders there's no doubt he will be back on the field as the starting MLB come the first game of the season.

It wasn't too long ago that Brian Brohm was touted as a sure-fire top 5 pick in the NFL Draft. However, after a senior season upon which Louisville greatly underacheived, he dropped a bit on draft boards. Now it is unclear whether or not Brohm will even go in the first round.

Brohm lacks the rocket arm, but is accurate and has great mechanics. You can tell the kid was the son of a coach. He learns quick and will only get better with experience. As a senior, Brohm actually threw as many interceptions as he had in his first three seasons, but he did also throw for a career high 4,024 yards and 30 touchdowns to go along with a 65.1% completion rate.

Boston College's Matt Ryan is largely believed to be the draft's top quarterback and one that Baltimore, who picks No. 8 overall, apparently covets. Assuming that holds true, where does Brohm fall?

The 22-year old is going to provide great value where ever he winds up. He is the top of a second tier of quarterbacks that also includes Michigan's Chad Henne and Delaware's Joe Flacco. As has been the case in past drafts, quarterback-needy teams might consider trading into the back half of the first round to snare one of the second-level signal-callers. Consider this recent history:

In 2007, the Browns dealt back in to select Notre Dame's Brady Quinn (No. 22). Two years prior, the Redskins made a similar move to snare Auburn's Jason Campbell (No. 25). In 2004, the Bills traded back for J.P. Losman (No. 22) and the year before that, the Ravens swung a deal with the Patriots to get Kyle Boller (No. 19).

I see a trade coming, but most of the mock drafts I have checked out see Ryan either going to the Falcons at #3 or the Ravens at #8. Whichever team don't get Ryan in Round 1 will turn to Brohm in Round 2. There is going to be a surprise team pop out and make a move at this guy. I wouldn't be surprised to see Minnesota to make a move and maybe even Miami.

PROJECTED MOCK DRAFT SELECTION
FootballFutures.com - Brian Brohm - Rd. 2, 38th overall - Baltimore Ravens
NFLDraftBlitz.com - Brian Brohm - Rd. 2, 37th overall - Atlanta Falcons
NFLDraftNotebook.com - Brian Brohm - Rd. 2, 38th overall - Baltimore Ravens

Ravens' QB Steve McNair has opted to retire after 13 seasons in the NFL.

"Mentally I could go out and play but my body couldn't do it any more, not to the level to go out and help my teammates win a football game," McNair said during a news conference at the Ravens' training facility in Owings Mills, Md. "It was a hard decision. But I think it's the right decision."

McNair led the Ravens to a 13-3 record in his first season with the team in 2006. But he played in only six games last season because of shoulder, back and groin injuries.

McNair, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was the league's co-most valuable player in 2003 with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. He led the Titans to a Super Bowl appearance at the conclusion of the 1999 season.

He retires as one of the most versatile quarterbacks in NFL history. He's just one of three quarterbacks to amass over 30,000 yards passing and more than 3,000 yards rushing.

Quarterback / Passing yards /Rushing yards
Fran Tarkenton 47,003 / 3,674
Steve Young 33,124 / 4,239
Steve McNair 31,304 / 3,590

McNair probably should called it quits last year, but coming off a 13-3 season in '06 it was a bit harder to justify.

His departure leaves the Ravens with Kyle Boller and Troy Smith as the primary quarterbacks on their roster, but expect new head coach John Harbaugh to go after a quarterback early in this month's draft.  Many mock drafts have the Ravens landing Boston College's Matt Ryan at #8, but even if that does not happen Baltimore will likely be one of the first teams to nab a signal caller.